Lincoln City V Walsall at Sincil Bank : Match Preview

02 November 2012 02:31

Lincoln are sweating on the fitness of defender Peter Gilbert as they host League One Walsall in the FA Cup.

The left-back, who agreed terms on a full-time two-month contract this week, has missed the Imps' last two games after limping out of the fourth qualifying round tie against Halifax.

Boss David Holdsworth is hoping Gilbert shrugs off the hamstring injury to shore up a defence that conceded three goals against Stockport at the weekend.

Peter Bore remains sidelined with a calf injury sustained in the replay victory over Halifax, while Rob Duffy is not ready for a return from his ankle injury.

Lincoln have not beaten Walsall at home since 1992 and have suffered three defeats in the last five clashes at Sincil Bank.MSUBBED

Andy Taylor is the only absentee for Walsall.

The full-back was forced off in the first half of last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bury nursing a hamstring complaint which also looks likely to rule him out of the npower League One clash at home to Scunthorpe on Tuesday.

James Chambers stepped in at Gigg Lane and is the leading candidate to get the nod from the off at Sincil Bank.

Manager Dean Smith, who this week put pen to paper on a new two-and-a-half year contract, otherwise has a full-strength squad to select from.

Smith must make a decision as to whether he should recall defender Dean Holden as he returns to the fold following a one-match suspension.

On-loan midfielder Florent Cuvelier has been given permission to feature by parent club Stoke.